Illustrate Omaha | collecting creatives

Location: Omaha, NE
Employment: Freelance
Website: Lizahunt.com

Liz Hunt is one of Omaha’s latest emerging creatives. She is motivated, talented, and very personable. You may find her at many of Omaha’s art and design events and you can expect to see her work as she progresses through her career. We hope you enjoy the spotlight of Liz Hunt!

(THE SKINNY)
I started going to Metro when I was 20. Once I finished my Associates in Graphic Design, I decided to come to UNO to get a BFA in Graphic Design. I’m on my last year of school. I’ve been working all through school. Two and a half years ago, I got my first design job. I was an in-house designer at Gallup. It was the best way for me to learn about the design business. It was a positive, safe environment from which I was able to learn a TON. After that, I worked for a small publishing company as another in-house designer, but I wanted to do more. I took the big leap into doing freelance…only. Currently, I do work for a small web design company out in Millard, Downs Design in the Mastercraft building, as well as working with a few of my own clients. I stay very busy.

(THE QUESTIONS)
Ideally, where would you like to be in ten years?
I don’t really make goals. I have loose ideas of what could happen or what I hope will happen. With that said, I would like to be doing design work full-time, loving my job and the people I work with. I want to be solving problems in more creative ways than I ever have before. Those are my “goals”.

Where do you draw creative inspiration from?
I find inspiration anywhere, everywhere. I try to surround myself with people, things, and ideas that help me stretch my thinking and inspire me. I’m inspired by other forms of creativity like interior design, poetry, and especially music. I can also be inspired by simply watching birds play in trees. I think that all of life is art, we just have to see it from new angles and fresh perspectives. If none of these ideas work, I do Google images!

How would you describe your design process?
Intuition. My design process is all about my intuition. When I talk with a client, I am not just talking with them. I am getting a feel for who they are, what they like, and what they’re about. I observe them and listen to them. I think listening is a key point in this. I go without any preconceived ideas of who they are and allow them to tell me. Once I’ve got the “feel” of the company, I am able to work out of that feeling. I can re-tell that feeling through visuals. That’s my design process.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best design advice I’ve ever gotten was from our very own Nate Voss:

“If it’s not something you love, MAKE it something you love”.

He was talking about if a client ever wanted you to do something that you, the designer, didn’t think would look good. It’s basically the designer version of the “make lemonade” saying.

What direction do you see graphic design heading? Do you feel that it is positive or negative?
To be honest, I feel that it is becoming harder to find good design and designers. Being a “graphic designer” has started to become another trite career choice that online colleges throw around like paralegals or nurses. However, at the same time, I’m seeing many designers educating their clients about good design. I’m hoping in the future more people will understand that design and branding are very important.
(THE END)

Location: Omaha, NE
Employment: GoodTwin Design, Owner
Website: http://www.good-twin.com/

When I think of highly motivated, multi-dimensional creative professionals, Adam Nielsen is always a name that comes to mind. Adam is a husband, father, artist, and owner of GoodTwin Design. We got an opportunity to pick his brain a bit, and we are happy to share. Enjoy the spotlight of Adam Nielsen!

What do you do to muster up the additional creativity required to do fine art after spending most your time on client work?
First off, it’s a commitment to doing it. It’s so hard to let it get swept under the rug and continue to put it off. I use art as a break from design. I think its very important to maintain a level of creativity outside of the day to day. You get so wrapped up in meeting deadlines that you sometimes compromise and rely on your bag of tricks. By stepping away from these elements you allow your brain to breathe a bit. To be honest, the creativity is pretty natural in this mode for me. It just flows because there is no pressure. Throw some music on, lock yourself in a room and just create.

What direction do you see your art/painting going now that you have experienced your own show?
When it comes to illustration I bounce around a lot when it comes to style. It’s more out of need than want. With my art I’m trying to develop a more distinct style, but I’m in a development phase with my art so there will be a lot of exploring in hopes finding my spot. I am shifting to more of a minimalistic way in order to bring a focus on the subject. I would like to develop solid style that allows me to focus more on the concept versus the technique. I think by having a style it takes a bit of the burden off you of having to try to recreate everything each time, at the same time a solid style lets you expand upon a good base for a while, until its time to reincarnate.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
From a business side, grow slow and strong. Like bamboo. Build your roots first.

From a personal side, You were given two eyes, two ears and one mouth for a reason. Shut the one and open the others. ( I don’t always apply this, but I should )

How would you describe your approach to design? How does this approach differ from your approach to fine art?
Design for me involves a problem to solve. It’s driven by a client or a need to improve something. It’s about fostering commerce and awareness. Art however does not need be driven by a problem, it doesn’t have to involve commerce. It’s a reflection of ones thoughts and ideas. I saw a quote on a blog that I think sums it up better than I can.

“Design is about solving problems. Art is about creating them”

Who do you look up to, and why?
I look up to quite a few people. I don’t want to name anyone specifically, but I look up to people who have drive and passion. I look up to people who have had to work for what they have and push forward even in the toughest times with a smile on their face. There are many people out there that have huge challenges in their life that you would never know it because they are focused and positive. It’s inspiring to meet and be around these people if even for 15 mins. I have been fortunate to meet several individuals like this and I look up to them with as much respect as I can give.

Location: Omaha, NE
Employment: Bellevue University
Website: www.anxiousfrank.com

Bob Hankin has been an active member of the design community for many years. You may know him for his role as the former AIGA president, Graphic Design Professor at Bellevue University, or just all-around good guy. Bob enjoys long boarding, graffiti, and is one of the few guys I’ve seen that can rock a fedora. Enjoy our spotlight of Bob Hankin!

How do you maintain a passion for design?
I personally think the best way to maintain and nurture a passion for design is to experience life with your eyes open. Sure, I read design books and magazines and I spend plenty of time surfing design web sites, but that only provides the literal or academic part of the mix. The rest is life. I attend as many events the growing Omaha creative scene has to offer. I longboard, paint graffiti, and I’m on a constant hunt for the next pair of sneakers. My next endeavor is to learn how to DJ and create beats. Talking with people – both designers and non-designers – is very important. Every time I walking away from a conversation I take with me something new: an idea, a new perspective or just new information.

Basically you can’t (in my opinion) be a designer if you go through life with your head down while attached to a narrow routine. (I’ve been writing a piece that I’ll post to my web site soon on this very topic.)

What is the best advice that you have ever received?
This may seem silly but one of the guys that works at The Bunker in KC told me, “It’s 20% fit and 80% attitude” when I was buying my first hat. At that point I realized I would no longer hold myself back from the things in life I want to experience. I really woke up that day. I’ve always had a bag of excuses to pull from when I discovered something new to try. I left too many opportunities behind over the years. Not anymore.

I think, “make your own happiness” might be my second favorite. You can’t rely on others to fill your moment, day or life with happiness. You have to do that yourself and in the process, hopefully, you will bring happiness to others as well.

What draws you to the art of graffiti?
Graffiti is something I’ve always admired but didn’t think I could do it (some may argue I still can’t). I think part of it is the culture or the way graffiti artists approach their craft. Part of it is the fact it isn’t graphic design. Well, not in a “proper” sense at least. I’ve been clicking a mouse for a long time – after a while you need something different to run through your brain – a different problem to create a solution for. Graffiti does that for me.

I’ve never been good at painting and I don’t consider myself all that much of an illustrator either. Working with spray paint has been a welcomed challenge and has gotten me to want to dabble in working with acrylics and screen-printing. I draw a lot more now too.

What is the best experience you had as president of AIGA Nebraska?
Being an active participant in Omaha’s (and Nebraska’s) creative community. So many sit on the sidelines and watch (or just complain) when they could just jump in and add their talents and perspectives to the mix. I was that person, sitting and complaining, until I complained out loud and someone listened and offered me an opportunity to act. (Thanks Tanya!) I’ve also had the opportunity to travel and meet some really great people through serving on the board.

The whole experience was great. If you’ve never had that experience I highly recommend you give it a try. Volunteer to help at an event or better yet – offer your time and serve on the board.

What advice would you give to emerging designers and creatives?

Run!! (just kidding) Being a designer or creative isn’t dependent on a degree or membership to a group or owning the latest and greatest MacBook Pro. It’s being a creative problem solver. Don’t get hung up on the “things” of design – submerse yourself IN design. Open your eyes and your mind to what lies ahead of you and soak it in.

I taught a drawing class a long time ago and I opened the class with, “I can’t draw.” After the class calmed down I finished with, “but I can see – I’m going to teach you how to see.” By the end of the class they were looking at life a little differently.

You can’t know exactly what something tastes like until you take a bite. Get hungry and eat.

As an illustrator, I enjoy finding products that work great and don’t fizzle out. I have used just about every possible type of pen, marker, and paper that I could get my hands on. Each illustrator requires different tools to get the job done. I prefer a pen with a consistent flow, thick cover, and no bleed. I also need a pen that won’t mix with Prismacolor Markers or run when used with watercolors. For this reason, Copic Multiliner pens are my product of choice.

Copic’s updated Multiliner SP pens feature a durable aluminum body.
The ink is waterproof and pigment based, providing a consistent ink flow that makes drawing and lining easy and crisp. The Multiliner SP pen is also available with a unique brush tip that creates distinctive line variations. Try them with different papers for a different line quality and feel. All Multiliner SP pens are refillable and have replaceable nibs.

These pens work great on a variety of paper. I prefer to use Strathmore 300 Series bristol for art pieces. For work that I will be scanning into the computer, I prefer to use Canson Vidalon Vellum. This vellum is thicker than tracing paper and doesn’t absorb the ink. This allows for a crisp illustration and a better scan. (Note: If you are using any pen on vellum, drying time is much longer.)

Copic Multiliner pens will run you around $8, but they are
worth every penny.

Location: Lincoln
Education: Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design—Southeast Community College
Employment: freelance
Websites:
http://www.ohkay.etsy.com

My name is Micaela Mota and I am a fresh graduate of graphic design from SCC. I’m very excited to start my career as a designer! Growing up, I was always creative and crafty–I still like sewing and making jewelry. I also enjoy drawing and photography. During the year I had to wait before my graphic design program started, I opened an etsy shop to sell some of the clothing, purses and jewelry I make; it helped keep me busy.

How did you realize you wanted to be a graphic designer?

I was a senior in high school and just beginning to freak out about what I wanted to do with myself when I got to college, when I learned about graphic design at a school career fair. As soon as I saw some of the student’s work and learned what it was all about, I knew it was for me. It’s also been cool to go to school and realize how much more there was to know about design.

How would you describe your style or approach to work?

At this early stage in my career, it’s hard to recognize if I even have my own style… Looking back on my work so far, and thinking about the projects I’ve enjoyed most, I would definitely say I liked/like working by hand as much as possible. When design work looks handmade or when you can create imagery and textures yourself rather than with a computer, it is much more compelling and original. It also feels so much more like yours. The computer is a great tool, but I still go for things done by hand over digital designs, for the most part.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

My teacher said to always be curious—absorb everything around you, continue to learn and ask questions and make art for art’s sake. I think that’s great advice. Design is really about using your brain to think up great visual solutions to people’s non-visual problems, which can be extremely demanding and draining at times. I think it’s really important to do things to keep your creative juices going. If you like writing, write. If you like drawing, carry a sketchbook around with you everywhere. Everything you see or hear about or talk about or learn has some potential to be used in your designs.

What is your best way to break out of a creative rut?

When I’m feeling stuck or burned out, the best thing for me to do is look at designs by other people. Checking out design blogs or looking through magazines and design books is inspiring. Otherwise, simply taking a break can be just what you need. Getting out of the house and away from the computer, spending time with family and forgetting design all together makes me come back feeling refreshed and ready to work.

Who in your life has inspired you to do the work that you do? A lot of people in my life inspire me to do the work I do: my family, my fiancé, my teachers. I feel very fortunate to have people who care about me and want me to be successful, so I think of them when I’m working. I also appreciate that my family is so close and easy to talk to. When I stress about life, my parents always remind me to do what I love first and the rest will follow.